Calgary Flames made a superb rally against Columbus Blue Jackets. First, they forced overtime with an excellent third period, and after that, hit the guests in the closing moments of the additional five minutes. The final result of the match was 3-2 for Geoff Ward’s guys.
Calgary’s captain Mark Giordano explained that he and his teammates had nothing to lose and that they had to go out there and give their best shot. Especially in the situation when the playoff seed is on the line.
“We’re desperate right now,” Flames’ captain said. “We know where we are in the standings. Every night is huge. Your nights off, you see teams winning around you. When you play, you’ve got to make it count.”
The Blue Jackets scored twice in midway through the first. Devin Shore broke the ice with 8:56 since the start of the contest. Two minutes and 24 seconds later, we saw Gustav Nyquist doubling the lead after a quick breakaway, and Nick Foligno’s assist.
It was a shocking start for the Flames, who entered this contest with high hopes. They would increase the pressure on the rivals in the second period, once Joonas Koorpisalo kept the guests in the game 13 saves. He would end the night with 34 stops, and was arguably the best player among the Blue Jackets, who were defending like possessed.
Shore admitted that his team earned one point from this clash, mostly due to his goal.
“Korpisalo kept us in it at times. He was unbelievable tonight.”
The third period saw the home team dominating the ice, allowing the Blue Jackets only four shots towards Cam Talbot’s net. The reward had to come at some point. With 8:46 to go, Elias Lindholm scored for the home team. It was a spark that created the momentum for the hosts, who went all or nothing afterward.
Ward decided to pull out Talbot and play with an extra man in the field, and that risky move paid off. With 1:43 to go, Matthew Tkachuk leveled the score. The winner had to be decided through overtime, and after a good fight with both teams giving their best, the hosts eventually won.
TJ Brodie, Flames’ defenseman, delivered a game-winner 22 seconds before the buzzer. He sent a wrist shot from the high slot, placing the puck behind Korpisalo’s back, for a massive joy at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
This win was important for the hosts, who haven’t been posting some good results at home lately. This was Flames’ second win over the past eight events, and they needed to collect some points and remove the pressure off their backs. At the moment, Ward’s unit is 6th in the West, three points behind the Oilers, and three more than the Vancouver Canucks, who have two games fewer though.
The Blue Jackets (32-21-15) are 6th in the East, and they travel to Edmonton now, to face the Oilers on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Flames (35-26-7) host Arizona Coyotes on Friday, and have a chance to deliver consecutive wins at home the first time since mid-January.
